Brake pads are the replaceable friction pads that pinch the brake disc when you step on the brake pedal. They are an important part of your Chevy Camaro's braking system. You should replace the brake pads before they wear beyond a 1/4 inch, or risk damaging your Impala's brake discs.
Park your car on a level surface. If your car has a stick shift, put the car in gear. Place blocks in front of the front tires so the car does not move while you are working on it.
Open the hood of your car and disconnect the negative battery cable.
Locate the master cylinder and the plastic brake fluid reservoir. If necessary, remove brake fluid until the level in the container is less than half full. A turkey baster is a good tool for this. Put the brake fluid into the plastic container.
Raise the rear end of your Camaro with your car jack. Remove the rear tire or wheel assembly.
Hand tighten a wheel lug nut to a wheel stud to keep the rotor from moving while you work on the caliper.
Place a large C-clamp over the body of the brake caliper. Place the clamp ends against the rear of the caliper body and the outboard pad. Slowly tighten the clamp until the piston is depressed far enough for the caliper to slide past the brake rotor. Remove the C-clamp.
Use the socket wrench to remove the caliper guide pin bolts and remove the caliper from the caliper bracket. the bolts are on the back of the caliper. Support the caliper with the wire hanger or a small bungee cord.
Take the brake pads out of the caliper. Remove and inspect the brake pad retainers.
Place a large C-clamp over the body of the brake caliper. Place the clamp ends against the rear of the caliper body and the outboard pad or a wood block placed against the caliper piston. Tighten the clamp until the piston is completely compressed into the caliper bore. Remove the clamp and the old pad or wood block.
Install the brake pad retainers and the brake pads in the caliper bracket. Position the brake pad wear sensor, mounted on the inboard brake pad, so that it is in the trailing position when the brake rotates forward.
Return the caliper to the caliper bracket. Replace the brake caliper guide pin bolts and use the socket wrench to tighten to 23 foot pounds (31 Nm).
Replace the wheel assembly (tire). Lower the car to the ground. Press the brake pedal two thirds of its travel distance and release. Wait 15 seconds and depress the pedal the same distance. This seats the brake pads. Do this before trying to move your car.
Add fluid to the master cylinder container to replace any you removed before you removed the old brake pads. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
Season the brake pads by making only gentle stops when you are driving for the first week after you install the new brake pads. Try not to do any hard stopping when you are seasoning the brakes.
